is it in our nature to argue? don't you think we'd all be better off?

Question

. . .. . just believing what we believe and letting others do the same?

the morbidly curious side of me always makes me click on the "society and culture" link here in Y!A and all i see is people arguing....on sides that are pre-decided....along the lines of their 'contacts.' good points are consistently ignored in what i can only imagine is in the name of 'face-saving' and brutal stubbornness.

this is true for all questions, but aggravatingly true for the religion questions. i don't know. i'm just venting. i'd love anyone else's thoughts.

damn...can i choose everyone's answer? yeah...i guess the point of my question is that debate should be about growth instead of catharsis. i [try to] enter every argument/debate with a genuine balance in my head of
""what will i learn?/what will i be able to bring to the table?""

imagine if the politicians did this!

Answer 1

Arguing is not the issue.

It's the incorrect and often malevolent way that people argue consisting of counterfactual claims guised as truth; The misuse of rhetoric and misunderstanding and blatant omission of valid points. The aforementioned leads to pointless disputes and the positive aspects of a good debate are lost in the sea of stubbornness and ignorance.

Answer 2

It sounds babaric how we would vent our anger at eachother BUT this is a open discussion where one can say whatever one wants to without any fear of physical retaliation. It is a violent war of ideas and guess what. Its BEAUTIFUL. If the internet has a shining moment, this is one of them. I come away with my own opinion. Whether I accept them or reject them, at least I have been exposed to them. I am strong enough to read someone else's insult. Part of the Freedom of Speech is you have to tolerate the people that disagree with you. You can't have Freedom of speech with a filter on it. Because soon or later, the powerful will try to use it for their advantage. If some one lies, we can battle it with the truth.

Answer 3

I agree with you, and for some reason I am also drawn to the "society and culture". I usually argue about the things that I am most passionate about. On here and in "real life".
However sometimes at home a playful debate is stimulating and fun and can lead to a playful makeup. ; )

Answer 4

I think so. I, like you, love to read about the constant arguing here in Society and Culture. I also love to read the letters section of my local paper, but not the ones in tabloids because those people need a life.

I myself don't argue about everything, but there are topics that really push my buttons and sometimes I will report users for asking questions, especially dangerous ones.

Answer 5

most are on this hot line to vent or self indulge in questions of legitimant nature. some you can tell use this as a vise to see and hear humor.or to see what other cultures are doing.my brother has a sign of a hand pointing a finger towards the road that says(if you see anything that you dont like)well you get the message.

Answer 6

Arguing is a great stress reliever. Some people can't open their minds to someone elses view point. And some people will never admit they are wrong.

Answer 7

Arguing has its good and bad points, but I have noticed that to some people, it can be a great stress reliever!

Answer 8

I don't think it is in our nature to argue. I do think that we are socialized to be this way, to heed the voice of the ego and lead with the ego--that part of our minds that needs to be heard and needs to be "right." Fortunately, what has been learned can be unlearned.